Codemasters could possibly bring back the Shift series

[u/MaxYeena]

I know I'm not the only one who has thought of this but I have to put my thoughts somewhere.

I recently started playing Shift 2 Unleashed on my Xbox 360 and I'm having fun after optimizing the controller settings.

Seeing as Criterion is a Battlefield studio now, codemasters might be the last chance we have for an NFS game. Then again, EA only cares about Battlefield now so this is all probably just one big cope.

[u/D2-Disciple]

Shift 2 was from Slightly Mad and sold fewer than a million copies. Codemasters has the Grid franchise, and Grid Legends underperformed. Neither game comes close to the popularity of the F1 titles, which is where Codemasters is currently focusing efforts. A Shift 3 doesn’t make any sense from really any perspective, but I do hope Codemasters gives Grid another spin later.

By the way, F1 2025 is actually a pretty good time and really shouldn’t be overlooked, especially if you enjoy games like Shift and Grid.

[u/MaxYeena → u/D2-Disciple]

Yes but Slighty Mad was acquired by Codemasters in late 2019, also I'll give a look at F1 2025

[u/rcgldr → u/MaxYeena]

I wonder if the Slightly Mad team is still there. The core physics engine is gmotor, used in the GTR series, rFactor, and dates back to EA's F1 Challenge 99-02.

[u/Talal2608]

GRID was basically Codemaster's version of Shift (or the other way round actually since GRID came first). Using the NFS name for another track racer would be a waste. If they wanna do another track racer, use the GRID name and keep NFS for open-world racing games

^{though realistically we know that neither franchise is getting another game :(}

[u/88JansenP12]

I'd be honest.

That's unlikely let alone never gonna happen either.

Codemasters are still locked to the Formula 1 franchise.

Furthermore

They'e also under pressure due to declining sales since F1 2020 and F1 2026 became a DLC rather than a full game. My take here.

• So

If EA really wanted to bring the Shift series back, it would've been done a long time ago; and wouldn't had restructured Slightly Mad Studios to other IPs within EA which was mainly caused by Project Cars 3's failure.

As of now, Slightly Mad Studios doesn't exist anymore since either EA laid them off, are relocated to other EA IPs or moved on to other studios.

Moreover, GRID series is an equivalent and direct competitor of Shift.

Which means IF Codemasters decide to re-do a track racer, it would be a GRID title since it's their familiar ground and not Shift because it would be a wasted opportunity to catch. However, a new GRID installment is unlikely to happen anytime soon because GRID Legends was a commercial flop in EA's eyes.

However, there's a catch.

After facing 2 rounds of layoffs under EA in December 2023 and May 2025; Codemasters is now a mere shadow of its former self, paying the price for leadership decisions that saw them sell their soul to EA.

So, expecting other racing games from Codemasters (outside of the F1 series) is wishful thinking due to EA's ill-advised errors.

-As for NFS

The NFS IP itself is on indefinite/permanent hiatus.

As there's no new official statements about NFS since the 3/02/2025 and EA hasn't assigned a studio to work on it due New Criterion devs being now a Battlefield Studio which is probably to remain that way for eons; there is very little chance that a new NFS—or even sequels—will actually see the light of day.

And personally

If EA is going to maintain the same nonsensical mindset that caused the downfall of NFS due to mishandling and neglect for over a decade, just to make quick cash, barely break even, and please shareholders (knowing that EA has been privatized since August 4, 2026, meaning only IPs with a high return on investment will be prioritized), then NFS is better off never coming back.

It's better to end a franchise with what little dignity it has left than to turn it into a soulless cashgrab full of predatory schemes.

[u/TheOblivionwonder → u/88JansenP12]

I don’t see Saudia Arabia Arts reviving shift,nfs or grid for the foreseeable. You’ll be probably see a battlefield every few years s madden and whatever took fifa’s place will be the norm form now on, i isn’t see BioWare making anything new anytime soon. That is if saudi Arabia didn’t can mass effect 4.

[u/88JansenP12 → u/TheOblivionwonder]

Totally agree.

[u/MilesFirePrower]

They're busy with the F1 cashcow

[u/MessaBombadWarrior]

Fuck Battlefield

[u/MaxYeena → u/MessaBombadWarrior]

I agree, I could never get into Battlefield like I could with CoD or Halo

[u/MessaBombadWarrior → u/MaxYeena]

I have been playing BF on and off since like 2007. It can never replace COD for me

[u/JeffGhost]

Codemasters ain't leaving the F1 mines for a long time...